No decision taken on to bring Sumalatha into BJP fold: Yeddyurappa

Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa Thursday said that the party did not taken any decision about bringing Sumalatha Ambareesh into BJP fold.

With the Congress ruling out fielding Sumalatha from the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, saying the seat would go to its coalition partner JD(S), the demand is growing within the BJP to induct her and field her in the seat.

Sumalatha also confirmed that no one from the BJP has contacted her, and if there is an offer from BJP, she will take a call only after consulting her supporters.

"No discussions have taken place in this regard," Yeddyurappa told reporters in Hubballi in response to a question on supporting Sumalatha in Mandya.

Sections within the BJP believe that Sumalatha joining the party and fielding her as a candidate in Mandya will help the saffron party, which doesn't have much presence in the Vokkaliga bastion. JD(S) has already indicated that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy is likely to be the coalition candidate there. The Congress has conceded JD(S)' demand for the seat, despite growing pressure within the grand old party to field Sumalatha, herself a popular south Indian actress, as the regional party has a sitting MP in Mandya.

Meanwhile, some reports are coming out about Sumalatha contesting independently, backed by those within the Congress, who are opposed to the party conceding the seat to JD(S); and the BJP too may lend its support.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Sumalatha said, "I too have heard the statements (of BJP leaders), but no one has contacted me directly.

If they come, I will get to know what is in their mind, what kind of support they can give me or what's in their mind on this issue."

"If they come, I will speak and take my decision no one has contacted me yet," she said.